Despite over 50 years of research in robotics, most existing robots are far from being as resilient as the simplest animals: they are fragile machines that easily stop functioning in difficult conditions. The goal of this project is to radically change this situation by providing the algorithmic foundations for low-cost robots that can autonomously recover from unforeseen damages in a few minutes.

The current approach to fault tolerance is inherited from safety-critical systems (e.g. spaceships or nuclear plants). It is inappropriate for low-cost autonomous robots because it relies on diagnosis procedures, which require expensive proprioceptive sensors, and contingency plans, which cannot cover all the possible situations that an autonomous robot can encounter.

It is here contended that trial-and-error learning algorithms provide an alternative approach that does not require diagnosis, nor pre-defined contingency plans. In this project, we will develop and study a novel family of such learning algorithms that make it possible for autonomous robots to quickly discover compensatory behaviors. We will thus shed a new light on one of the most fundamental questions of robotics: how can a robot be as adaptive as an animal? The techniques developed in this project will substantially increase the lifespan of robots without increasing their cost and open new research avenues for adaptive machines. - Jean-Baptiste Mouret, PhD

What a difference 48 years makes juxtaposition of Volkswagen Passat Typ 32, 1972 and Volkswagen Passat Typ 3G, 2020. VW have revealed the facelifted 8th generation European Passat. The new Passat will be the first Volkswagen to offer partially automated driving at cruising speed via IQ.DRIVE – VW’s new umbrella brand for assistance systems

Not long ago, imagining a self-driving delivery vehicle seemed to be a ridiculous fantasy.

Fast forward to 2019 and retailers are starting to test autonomous vehicles. Companies such as Stop & Shop plan to deliver a selection of groceries via a driverless vehicle.

The process will work as follows: Customers will use an app on their smartphone to request a shopping visit. When the vehicle arrives at the desired destination, customers may go outside, simply unlock the vehicles doors and pick their groceries. The products purchased from the Robomart are then recorded and charged. A receipt will be emailed to the customer within seconds.

Companies like Shop & Drop intend to make shopping easier and more convenient for their customers. Other retail companies are quickly catching on and are looking to invest in self-driving delivery vehicles.

JLR Projection Pod, 2019. Continuing their research into autonomous vehicles and pedestrian trust issues, Jaguar Land Rover have come up with a system that projects images onto the road ahead to inform pedestrians of direction of travel